Ajay Devgn refuses to be called a veteran

His recent track record spells hits, if not blockbusters — be it comedy, action or drama. He’s produced and directed films, won two National Awards, been a prankster par excellence on the sets, sans link-ups and controversies, actor Ajay Devgn is two decades young in Bollywood, as he corrects. “But I refuse to be called a veteran. One can never age doing what he does best — I’ve just matured a bit. I’m very confident about my age and love the way life’s unfolding, post 40,” he states, simply.

All set for the release of Singham, Ajay is glad that he’s got an action film to offer to the audience. “After years, I’ve got a hardcore action film and the fact that I started off with action obviously makes it close to my heart. But of course, I was waiting for the right opportunity — a strong script backed by stronger stunts,” he informs. So, after all these years, are Friday morning jitters still bothersome? “I wouldn’t call them jitters but I do feel anxious. Just as a lot of hard work goes into each film, a lot of expectations need to be met as well,” he explains. While Ajay appears to be someone not working under the pressures of expectations, he chooses to differ. “What’s the point of working if I can’t meet popular demands. But I’ve been lucky to have been able to maintain a balance between these demands and my creative satisfaction,” he states.

Quiz Ajay on how much he relates to Bajirao Singham, his character in Singham, and he says, “I feel people want someone like Bajirao around — a straightforward, honest and simple man — really hard to find in today’s time.” And his beefed up look has already been creating news, with men looking for inspiration and women sighing away. “It wasn’t too much of hard work since I have always been working out. This time, I just ate right and put in a few more hours. Of course, women swooning over me sounds wonderful,” he laughs. Ajay does intend to direct a film but not anytime soon. “I have something in mind but I need six months for that. Right now, I’m busy with films at least for the next one and a half years,” Ajay ends.